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Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL:

Two early David Popa goals and a Brett Solkhon strike 6 minutes from time saw Kettering grab a vital three points tonight at home to Dunstable, whose solitary goal game from Chris Vardy on 53 minutes. It was a tense battle at times with a competitive visiting team, who saw three of their back four receive yellow cards.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

With Spencer Weir-Daley out with a suspected dislocated shoulder, Rene Howe and David Popa formed the strike force. Brett Solkhon started in place of Chris Carruthers.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

The pitch had escaped any heavy rainfall and Kettering played towards the Station Road end in the first half.

The Poppies started on the front foot and an early move between Rene Howe and Liam Canavan spelled danger for Dunstable, but the defence cleared.

Kettering took the lead after just six minutes,out of nothing. A hopeful lob into the box bounced up and was met by David Popa who headed over a surprised Bart Pedrycz and into the net.

Popa then was set up by Howe and Pedrycz saved the shot. Not to be outdone, the same players combined in the 15th minute and this time Howe’s pass allowed Popa to step inside his man and fire low past the keeper’s right hand to double the lead.

James Brighton’s 24th minute free kick from the right was met by Howe at the far post- and the header was wide.

Kettering kept coming forward and Dunstable changed to a 4-4-2 formation after starting with 4-5-1.

Wilson Carvalho’s 30th minute shot was blocked and then Brett Solkhon saw his shot blocked and resultant header go over the top.

Pedrycz was then out to gather the ball ahead of Popa.

It was the 36th minute before Dunstable threatened at all, and a corner to the far post saw Mark Smith’s goalbound and downward header cannon off a defender’s legs.

Rene Howe fired wide as the half petered out.

Regular left back,Zack Reynolds replaced Okito at the start of the half for the Blues.

Dunstable came out with a bit more purpose and shocked their hosts on 53 minutes. A long ball was headed on to Chris Vardy on the left side and it was an easy finish.

The crowd were silenced for a while as Dunstable looked more confident going forward.

However it was Kettering who had the better chances. James Brighton’s 57th minute free kick beat the wall and the keeper- but also the left upright. Seven minutes later Brighton’s free kick into the box saw Howe with a clear header which cleared the bar.

Howe then had a glorious chance to score. Running clear from James Kaloczi, he rounded the keeper although not fully controlling the ball. He checked back to shoot low into the corner but Kaloczi got back to clear off the line.

The crowd were getting nervous at this stage as the visitors had their fair share of possession, but could not seem to get near to goal.

Liam Canavan’s 75th minute shot was blocked out after a corner, but just nine minutes later he set up the third goal. His free kick from 25 yards was possibly touched onto the left upright by Pedrycz and, as the ball ran along the line, Brett Solkhon was there to stab in.

Gary Wharton fired well wide for Dunstable and Kettering substitute, Ben Stephens saw his added time snapshot go just wide.

Another good three points gained by the Poppies in a solid performance. The Poppies are next at home again next Tuesday at 7.45pm when we entertain Leamington in a vital game.

Before that we are away at Chesham on Saturday at 3pm.

Full Time: Kettering Town 3 - 1 Dunstable Town

Attendance: 470

Match Sponsors, SCA Hygiene, Poppies man of the match: David Popa

Klondike: (£130) Number 6730. Winner: Pete Robinson

Trust 500 club (each receives £50): 0136 – Dave Tailby; 0433 – Paul Barton; 0055 Keith Millard.

Yellow cards: Kettering: Howe,5l

Dunstable:Okito,28;Kaloczi,57;Pepera,82.

Substitutions: Kettering: Carruthers for Mulligan,55. Stephens for Carvalho,79;Grocott for Canavan,88. Dunstable:Reynolds for Okito,46;Roache for Wales,60;Leslie for Kaloczi,85.

Team Starting line-ups:

Kettering: Craig Hill;Liam Bateman;Dominic Langdon;Brett Solkhon;Gary Mulligan (Captain);Herve Pepe-N’Goma;Wilson Carvalho;Liam Canavan;Rene Howe;David Popa;James Brighton. Subs:Perry Cotton;Chris Carruthers;Will Grocott;Ben Stephens;Silvano Obeng.

Dunstable Town:Bartosa Pedrycz Howard Hall;Gedeon Okita;David Longe-King;James Kaloczi;Adam Pepera;Mark Smith;Gary Wharton;Jonathan Edwards;Steve Wales;Chris Vardy; Subs:Lee Roache;Zack Reynolds; Anthony Leslie;Jonathan Wyllie;Danny Talbot.